The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59285

Kenneth Fleming, School of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia, 135 Neff Annex, Columbia, MO 65211, (573) 884-6563, flemingk@missouri.edu, Esther Thorson, PhD, School of Journalism, University of Missouri, 116 Walter Williams Blvd., Graduate Studies Center, Columbia, MO 65211, Catherine Campbell, Department of Social Psychology, London School of Economics & Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE UK, United Kingdom, Lawrence M. Wallack, DrPH, School of Community Health, Portland State University, PO Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751, and Christopher Beaudoin, Department of Communications, Indiana University, Bloomington Street, Bloomington, IN 47405.

PANEL ABSTRACT The objective of the panel is to explore some theoretical and empirical relations among mass communication, social capital, and public health. All participating scholars have active research programs that examine these concepts, although their approaches and current conclusions differ. It is hoped that the panel will provoke critical ideas and enhance current understanding of the relevance of social capital to public health and the role that mass communication plays in creation of social capital that demonstrably impacts public health. It is suggested that social capital influences the health behaviors of residents by, for example, (1) exerting social control over deviant health-related behavior, or (2) promoting more rapid diffusion of health information, or (3) increasing the likelihood that health norms of behavior are adopted. Through trusting relationships and membership in associational organizations, individuals are able to effectively communicate among themselves about the availability of transportation, community health clinics, and recreational facilities that are directly related to health, therefore reducing the costs of information transmission. It is also posited that the value of social capital appreciates as a function of improved channels of information among individuals. For example, research in violence epidemiology has established that journalists can now expand their reporting to include factors that contribute to crime and violence, instead of reporting incidents as random, uncontrollable events. Various forms of communication, including the news media, may play a powerful role in setting public health policy agendas by framing the way the public and policy makers think of and respond to important health issues.

Learning Objectives:

• The objective of the panel is to explore some theoretical and empirical relations among mass communication, social capital, and public health. Another objective is that through the panel, the presentations should help researchers examining social capital and public health better understand the role of mass communication in the processes. Simultaneously, bringing mass communication scholars to the APHA meeting will allow them to expand their connections with others studying social capital and public health.

Keywords: Communication Effects, Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.